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Jones' baserunning reviewed before walk-off

4/18/13: The Rays lose an appeal after Adam Jones is forced to retrace his steps just before the Orioles walk off on Matt Wieters' slam

By Todd Karpovich
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Special to MLB.com |

BALTIMORE -- There was some controversy surrounding the Orioles' 10-6 victory over the Rays in 10 innings Thursday night.

With Manny Machado on first and Nick Markakis on second, Adam Jones hit a long single to right field. The runners appeared to be rounding the bases but were held up by third-base coach Bobby Dickerson. As the runners retreated, it appeared Jones did not retouch second on the way back to first, as required.

Rays manager Joe Maddon appealed but was overruled by the umpires. Matt Wieters then hit a walk-off grand slam.

"I made sure they knew who I was appealing so there was no confusion," Maddon said. "I told the home plate umpire it was going to be Jones. I wanted to make sure Jerry at second base knew we were appealing Jones, and he said [Jones] was OK. I saw that. I thought he had missed the bag coming back, and wanted to appeal it."

Maddon said if Jones had been called out, it might have made a difference in the game.

"The whole world changes at that moment." Maddon said. "When you have a base open, the pitcher can pitch in a different manner. Second and third with one out would have been a different mindset than the bases loaded with no outs."

As for Jones, he said he did not remember the play and was just happy to get the win.

"I wish you could take a picture of me shrugging my shoulders," Jones said when asked whether he touched second. "I don't remember, to be honest with you. I'm glad it worked out for us."

Orioles manager Buck Showalter also didn't see a problem with the play.

"I didn't see it as controversial at all," Showalter said. "Adam made a good baserunning play. I don't think he even got to the bag, but I would have appealed it, too, looking for an out somewhere."

Todd Karpovich is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.